Shoulder pilot assembly with self-contained stripper and method for metal forming dies

Abstract

A pilot assembly with a self-contained stripper and method for metal forming dies has a cylindrical pilot with internally mounted reciprocating ejector pins with outer ends that protrude through holes in the body of the pilot to strip stock from the pilot. The pilot assembly is secured to the die by a window mount such that one or more surfaces of the pilot abut surfaces on the window mount and die to secure the pilot to the die and window mount when the window mount is secured, via a fastener, to the die. A spring within the pilot assembly contacts an end of the ejector pins to force the pins to reciprocate when the dies are pulled apart. The assembly can be made without the locating pilot surface to provide a stripper assembly for stripping the stock from the associated die.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND CLAIM TO PRIORITY[0001]The present application is related to commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61 / 652,360, filed May 29, 2012, entitled SHOULDER PILOT ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR METAL FORMING DIES AND THE LIKE, which is incorporated herein by reference, and claims priority thereto under 35 U.S.C. §119.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to metal forming dies and the like, and in particular to a shoulder pilot assembly with self-contained stripper and associated method.[0003]Metal forming dies, such as stamping dies and the like, are well known in the art. Progressive metal forming dies are unique, very sophisticated mechanisms which have multiple stations or progressions that are aligned longitudinally, and are designed to perform a specified operation at each station in a predetermined sequence to create a finished metal part. Progressive stamping dies are capable of forming...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a modular pilot assembly with a self-contained stripper for multi-station progressive metal forming dies. The pilot assembly includes a cylindrical pilot that is supported on one of the die members and has an outer end oriented towards the stock strip. The pilot has an outer collar with a first sidewall and a second sidewall with a larger diameter to securely fit in a pilot mounting aperture in the one die member. The pilot has an ejector pin that automatically reciprocates between a retracted and extended condition to strip the stock strip consistently. The pilot assembly also includes a window mount that securely retains the pilot in the die and a conical outermost portion to guide the pilot to a predetermined position in the die. The technical effects of the invention include improved part forming and reduced labor costs for the metal forming process.

Problems solved by technology

Current die making processes require carefully machined, precision holes and recesses in the die set for mounting the individual components, such that the same are quite labor intensive, and require substantial lead time to make, test and set up in a stamping press.

Consequently, such metal forming dies are very expensive to design, manufacture, and repair or modify.

While such prior pilot assemblies have proven generally successful, they are rather expensive and time consuming to construct and install in an associated die set, such that further improvements and enhancements to the same, as well as metal forming dies generally, would be clearly advantageous, and are disclosed herein.

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